to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Luisa Morgantini and Mary Lou McDonald
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on the situation in Darfur

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Darfur

B6‑0517/2006

The European Parliament,

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having regard to its previous resolutions on the Darfur region and to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000,

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having regard to the Constitution of the Republic of Sudan, adopted on 30 June 1998,

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having regard to UN Security Council Resolutions 1547 (2004), adopted on 11 June 2004, and 1556 (2004), adopted on 30 July 2004, on the Report of the Secretary-General on the Sudan, and to Resolution 1502 (2003) of 26 August 2003 on the protection of United Nations personnel, associated personnel and humanitarian personnel in conflict zones,

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having regard to the Darfur Plan of Action agreed between the UN and the Government of Sudan on 5 August 2004,

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having regard to the Protocol between the Government of Sudan and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) of 26 May 2004,

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having regard to the Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement signed in N’djamena in Chad on 8 April 2004 and the Agreement on the Modalities for the establishment of the Ceasefire Commission and the Deployment of Observers in the Darfur, agreed in Addis Ababa on 28 May 2004, under the auspices of the African Union,

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having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 1665 of 29 March 2006,

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having regard to the decision taken by the Arab League meeting in Khartoum on 29 March 2006 on the situation in Darfur,

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having regard to the extension of the AU force agreed at the UN by the AU Security Committee on 20 September 2006,

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having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.
whereas the situation in the Darfur region has been steadily deteriorating, leading to a worsening humanitarian crisis as kidnapping, torture, killings, rape and human rights abuses continue, while much of Darfur has become inaccessible and dangerous for humanitarian and aid workers,

B.
whereas the personal security of internally displaced persons (IDP) in camps, of humanitarian and aid workers as well as of food convoys is of utmost importance,

C.
whereas the region of Darfur has suffered persistent underdevelopment and economic and political marginalisation; whereas the complexity of the situation is a result of various tribal, cultural and religious conflicts, the involvement and role of neighbouring states, the personal self-interest of local and regional constituents as well as external forces,

D.
whereas in February 2003 a rebellion, led by the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), began in Darfur against the government and, as a counter-measure, the government started to arm civilians from certain nomadic tribes and to use air strikes; whereas fighting, including attacks on civilians and indiscriminate bombing, resulted in at least 30 000 killings, more than two million internally displaced people (IDP) within Sudan and more than 200 000 refugees in Chad,

E.
whereas a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed on 9 January 2005 in Naivasha, Kenya,

F.
whereas the African Union has played and is playing a role in trying to put an end to the conflict; whereas it succeeded in obtaining a ceasefire agreement and an agreement on humanitarian issues, signed in Abuja, Nigeria, on 9 November 2004,

G.
whereas the AU's mandate has been extended until the end of 2006; whereas the force will be strengthened by troops from African states, logistical support from the UN and financial help from the Arab League,

1.
Expresses its concern at the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Darfur, the increase in kidnapping, torture, killings, rape and human rights abuses especially in IDP camps and the difficulties faced by humanitarian aid agencies in gaining access to the region and providing the necessary aid;

2.
Calls on all parties to refrain from the use of violence and avoid any action that can put lives at risk in Darfur and prevent humanitarian workers from delivering food and aid to those in need; calls, moreover, on the parties involved to pay special attention to the need to enhance the physical and personal security particularly of IDPs in camps and more specifically of women and children;

3.
Stresses the importance of ensuring that all sides respect the N’djamena ceasefire and of the continued operation of its monitoring mechanisms; in addition, calls on all sides to respect and implement all the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 9 January 2005, paving the way to a final peaceful solution of the conflict; in this respect, also calls on the EU to increase support aimed at the implementation of the CPA;

4.
Congratulates the African Union on the role it has played in achieving the ceasefire agreement, the signing of the agreements and the monitoring of their implementation;

5.
Welcomes the extension of the AU mandate until the end of 2006 and urges all actors to come to a mutual agreement on the future peacekeeping or monitoring mission in accordance with the UN Charter and under the auspices of the United Nations;

6.
Urges the Sudanese Government to cooperate constructively with the United Nations in order to stop the killings, kidnapping, torture, rape and human rights abuses immediately;

8.
Calls on the governments of neighbouring countries to control the trade in small arms in the region more closely;

9.
Calls on the Commission and all other donors to provide the necessary funds to aid and improve the situation on the ground;

10.
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government of Sudan, the African Union, the governments of the EU Member States, the UN Secretary-General and the Government of the United States.